If you are an NWT farm operator, you will have an opportunity to complete the Census of Agriculture questionnaire this month and to help update Canada's agricultural profile.

While agriculture is a critical industry for all Canadians, we have a unique context in the NWT that represents an important facet of Canadian agriculture. To ensure that future programs and services are applicable, we need to make sure our story is part of the national narrative.

Who uses Agriculture Census results?

Farm organizations are heavy users of census data and draw on this information to formulate policy recommendations, produce communications and outreach work, and conduct market research.

Regional, provincial and federal government policy advisors use Census of Agriculture data to help develop farm support programs.

The quality of census data increases with every completed questionnaire. Census data ensure that decision makers have the evidence they need to act in the interests of farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations.

How can NWT farm operators participate?

Completing your questionnaire online is quick and easy: go to Statistics Canada's website and select the online questionnaire and use the secure access code you will receive in the mail in May. The questionnaire can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of the farming operation.

Key findings from the 2016 census:

• There were 193,492 farms in Canada on Census Day, May 10, 2016. Although the number of farms in Canada has been decreasing over the last 75 years, the rate of decline from 2011 to 2016 was the lowest it has been in the last 20 years, at 5.9%.
• The average size of farms has increased—to an average of 820 acres in 2016 from 779 acres in 2011.
• Canadian farmers are getting older. The average age of a farm operator is 55. There was an increase in the number of farmers under 35.
• The proportion of female farm operators continues to increase. Female farm operators increased from 27.4% in 2011 to 28.7% in 2016.
• The value of land and buildings used by agricultural operations increased by 37.5% from 2011 to 2016—from $311.2 billion to $427.9 billion.
• Gross farm receipts totaled $69.4 billion in 2015, while operating expenses reached $57.5 billion.